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"From whom did you obtain your information?"

"Did I not hear Sir William D'Almaine announced? and did you conceive that I was totally blind?"

Sir Charles looked at Sir William, and evidently inferred that that announcement had been the cause of the general's interference.

"This," resumed the general, addressing the officers, "this is Sir Charles Julian, and this is Mr. Sylvester Sound. You have seen what they contemplated: you know for what purpose they have met. Arrest them."

The officers bowed; and as one of them followed Sir Charles to his carriage, the other accompanied Sylvester and Mr. Scholefield; and when the general had rejoined the friend with whom he came, and whom, despite his anxiety to conceal himself, Sylvester discovered to be the doctor, they returned to town, and went at once before a magistrate, who bound the parties over to keep the peace.

That evening Sylvester supped with Tom, and on being urged to stop there all night, he, having no anxiety about returning to his chambers, consented; and after sitting up till one, conversing gaily about the occurrences of the day, went to bed pretty nearly exhausted.

Tom went to bed too; but as the night-bell rang soon afterwards, and he was summoned to assist in augmenting the surplus population, he intimated the interesting fact to "Jib"—whom he had seduced from the doctor's—and left the house.

Jib was a most especial favourite of Tom, and had, in consequence, become a great man: quite a confidential card. Whatever Jib said in that house was law. He was the superior swell of the establishment. Nothing could be done without Jib. He was a species of domestic oracle, and as he felt—and very naturally—that he knew what was what, about as well as any man in the realm, he wouldn't allow the "bedials" to advance a syllable in opposition to his views. Whatever he wished to have done, was done, and he'd have it done, too, in a tidy style; and while he had an extremely deep sense of his own importance, he felt it correct to look fierce!

When, therefore, he received Tom's important communication, he knew as well as any man in England what it meant, and having grunted and yawned, and eventually turned out, he went down to fasten the door.

While returning, however, he was struck—struck with amazement: paralysed—perfectly paralysed, on beholding a tall figure slowly de-